Dispenser



D 28, 1965 w. A. FITZGERALD, JR, ETAL 3,226,171

DISPENSER Original Filed March 25, 1960 2 ee se 1 INVENTORS William A. Firzgerold,Jr.

Kenji Yoshizumi 1M 1milhmxmi0m D. amt.- ATTORNEYS Dec. 28, 1965 Original Filed March 25. 1960 .A. FITZGERALD, JR., ETAL 3,226,171

DISPENSER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 5

INVENTORS William A. Fitzgerald, Jr. Kenji YOShlZUlTIi Y I 7M3. Mai,

United States Patent C) 3,226,171 DISPENSER Wiiliam A. Fitzgerald, In, Western Springs, and Kenji Yoshizurni, Chicago, 111., assignors, by direct and mesne assignments, to General Foods Corporation, White Plains, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 17,681, Mar. 25, 1960. This application Feb. 26, 1963, Ser. No. 262,287 3 Claims. (Cl. 31242) This application is a continuation of our copending application Ser. No. 17,681, filed March 25, 1960 and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a dispenser for articles. More particularly, the invention is concerned with a dispenser suitable for holding household articles which are to be utilized a plurality of times, but which are preferably not to be mingled with unused articles in the dispenser after their first use.

The invention is ideally adapted for use with articles such as cleaning devices, e.g., scouring pads which are impregnated with a cleansing composition activated under certain conditions, such as by contact with water.

After on such use in contact with water, the cleansing device is usually unsightly, the impregnant ordinarily having undergone a change of coloration and the entire article being misshapen and deformed. In addition, particles of food or other organic material subject to oxidation or bacterial action may have become lodged between filaments of the pads. Such particles give rise to noxious odors that are emphasized when the pads are stored in a closed chamber after use. Temporary storage of such a cleaning article after one or more uses but before the article has become so depleted or deformed as to be discarded is the problem toward which the present invention is directed.

It is an important object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for household articles and the like in which dispensed articles are retained after use at a location such that view of said used articles is obstructed but access of air to the articles is provided.

It is another object to provide such a dispenser in which used articles are retained at a location such that they are easily accessible yet segregated from unused articles in the dispenser.

It is still another object to provide a dispenser for household articles and the like in which dispensed articles are retained after use at a location such that any liquid acquired by the articles is prevented from contacting unused articles in the dispenser.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the dispenser comprises a housing having an elongated passageway extending therethrough. The passage way terminates at its ends in apertures formed in the housing. When the force of gravity is to be utilized as an aid in the dispensing of articles, the upper of these apertures is used to receive such articles and the lower aperture is used for article discharge. Articles entering the receiving aperture pass through the passageway toward the discharge aperture.

Means are provided at the receiving aperture for retaining at least one of the articles in a position in which view thereof is obstructed. These retained articles are normally those which have been used at least once but are still serviceable. As one form of such means, it has been found advantageous to utilize a receptacle at least part of which extends into the passageway and disposes the article in the passageway so that it is hidden therewithin. Means formed as part of the housing, or as part of the receptacle, or as cooperating parts of both the housing and receptacle, are used to maintain the receptacle in such position.

The provision of a cover movable to overlie the receiving aperture formed in the housing is an advantageous feature of the present invention. In its closed position the cover blocks view of the receptacle and any articles held by the receptacle. Removal of the cover from overlying position affords access to the used article or articles retained in the receptacle. Even in closed position, however, the cover does not block the flow of air to the receptacle and the article retained thereon. This is due to the particular means by which the receptacle is maintained in the passageway. Removal of the receptacle from its position in the passageway at the receiving aperture affords access to the passageway, so that the supply of fresh articles to be dispensed through the discharge aperture can be replenished through the receiving aperture.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent when considered in connection with the illustration of a specific embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the cover in open position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front perspective view of a portion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the embodiment with the cover in closed position;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view along the line 44 of FIG. 3, and

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the embodiment, part of the cover being cut away.

Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the dispenser indicated generally by reference numeral 10 is shown as comprising a housing 11, part of which is in the form of an arcuate member 12 presenting a convex surface at the front of the dispenser. The housing 11 has a passageway 13 (FIG. 4) formed therewithin, which passageway extends through the housing the length thereof and terminates in an upper aperture 14 and a lower aperture 15 formed in the housing.

While the housing 11 may have any desired shape, the form is such as will permit a receptacle 16 to conform thereto. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the receptacle 16 is formed with an outwardly convex front wall 17 which generally conforms to the outline of the arcuate member 12, the contour of the receptacle 16 being such as to enable it to fit easily within the passageway 13.

As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of articles 20 are, in practice, arranged within the housing 11 in the passageway 13. When the dispenser 10 is disposed so that passageway 13 is substantially vertical, the force of gravity urges articles 20 toward the lower aperture 15 of the housing 11. Movement of these articles from the housing 11 is arrested by means of a support member 21, which forms the base of the housing 11 and is disposed in a plane substantially normal to the plane of the passageway 13. Articles 20 are removed from the housing 11 through the lower aperture 15 by being grasped by the fingers and pulled substantially horizontally in the direction of arrow 22 (FIG. 4). Articles 20 enter the housing 11 through the upper aperture 14.

The receptacle 16 is utilized to hold an article 20 after the article has been used and is to be stored at a location away from other articles in the passageway 13. Receptacle 16 is maintained in a position substantially parallel to the article support member 21 by means of seat members 23 formed in the back wall 25 of the housing 11. Additional support for the receptacle 16 is provided by means of a pair of flanges 19 integral with the receptacle and extending therefrom over the lip 24 formed in the arcuate member 12 of the housing 11 at the upper aper- 3 ture 14. Thus, the receptacle 16 is maintained in position by means of seat members 23, which support the receptacle at the rear thereof and flanges 19, which support the receptacle at the front thereof.

As illustrated, the receptacle 16 is positioned within the passageway 13 so that parts of the housing 11 serve to obstruct view of any articles within the receptacle. To further obstruct such view a cover 26 is provided. Cover 26 pivots on trunnions 27, formed integral with the cover and extending into bores 28 at opposed sides of arcuate member 12. Pivotal motion between the open position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 and the closed position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 permits the cover 26 to provide access to the receptacle 1% or to overlie the receptacle 16 and an article 20 carried thereupon.

The cover 26 is formed with a forwardly extending tab portion 29, well illustrated in FIG. 4, which is adapted to be grasped when the cover is moved between covering position and the uncovering position indicated in FIG. 4 by broken lines 30. Cover 26 also has a substantially planar abutment surface 31 located near its lowermost extension and contacted by the flanges 19 of the receptacle 16 when the cover has reached covering position. Since surface 31 is substantially planar, it will be apparent that at those areas thereof other than where surface 31 contacts upwardly extending flanges 19, surface 31 will be spaced from lip 24 and receptacle 16 in closed position. Openings are thus provided between cover 26 and housing 11 to permit the passage of air on either side of each flange 19 into the receptacle 16 to a scouring pad retained thereon and then out of the housing 11 to the ambient atmosphere.

In practice, the dispenser may be utilized to retain a multiplicity of articles, such as cleansing or scouring pads, in the passageway 13 and in the receptacle 16. For this reason the receptacle 16 is provided with ribs 18 to suspend a pad which has been contacted with water above the bottom of the receptacle and thereby provide for drainage. In such use the dispenser 10 will ordinarily be affixed to a wall 32 or other vertical surface of a kitchen by means of screws 33 passing through apertures 34 in the rear wall 25 of the housing .11.

After the dispenser has been mounted in substantially vertical position, the cover 26 is raised and the receptacle 16 removed. A multiplicity of articles are then inserted into the upper aperture 14, whence they fall through the passageway 13 toward the support member 21. The receptacle 16 is then replaced in the passageway. Used articles are placed in the receptacle, and subsequent positioning of the cover 26 in overlying position obstructs view of the used articles.

The entire dispenser is conveniently constructed of a plastic composition, such as a somewhat resilient thermoplastic material. When such a material is used, the housing 11 is advantageously constructed from separate members, which may be formed in a molding press or stamped and later united to form the finished dispenser. The illustrated embodiment, particularly as seen in FIG. 1, shows such construction, rear wall and arcuate member 12 of the housing being held together by means of tabs 35 formed in the arcuate member 12 and extending through cooperating slots 36 in the rear wall 25. An adhesive may also be utilized to hold together the housing 11.

It will be apparent that, while the present invention has been illustrated by a specific embodiment thereof in which the housing has an outwardly convex forward position, the shape of the housing will be varied in accordance with the shape of the articles which are to be' inserted therewithin. In accordance with changes in the contour of the housing, like changes will be made in the form of the receptacle which is to cooperate with the housing.

Thus, while the present invention has been described with particular reference to a specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited by that embodiment, but its scope is to be defined only by reference to the following, appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A dispenser for household articles and the like, comprising a housing having extending therewithin an elongated passageway formed to permit the transit of articles therethrough, said passageway terminating at one end in an aperture for receiving said articles and at its other end in a further aperture for the discharge of said articles, said article-receiving aperture being bounded by a rim of said housing, a receptacle for retaining at least one of said articles, means on said receptacle for holding said receptacle at said receiving aperture, means on said housing for holding said receptacle at said aperture, said means on said receptacle comprising a plurality of spaced flanges joined to said receptacle at the top edge of a wall thereof and extending therefrom to a position in which they overlie and contact said rim when said receptacle is at article-receiving position, said means on said housing including a plurality of spaced seat members joined to said housing and extending therefrom into said pas sageway to a location at which they contact and support said receptacle at the article receiving position but permit passage of articles by said seat members when said receptacle is removed from the article receiving position, said flanges and seat members cooperating to jointly support the receptacle at the article receiving position, and a cover movably mounted between open position in which it permits access to said receptacle at article-receiving position and closed position in which it abuts said flange and overlies said receptacle, said cover having a substantially planar surface integral therewith and disposed to abut said flange in close position, said cover in closed position being spaced from said rim at regions thereof adjacent said flange to provide an opening between said rim and said planar surface for ingress and egress of air to and from said article in said receptacle.

2. A dispenser for household articles and the like, comprising a housing having extending therewithin an elongated passageway formed to permit the transit of articles therethrough, said passageway terminating at one end in an aperture for receiving said articles and at its other end in a further aperture for the discharge of said articles, said article-receiving aperture being bounded by a rim of said housing, a receptacle for retaining at least one of said articles, means on said receptacle for holding said receptacle at said receiving aperture, means on said housing for holding said receptacle at said aperture, said means on said receptacle comprising a plurality of spaced flanges joined to said receptacle at the top edge of a wall thereof and extending therefrom to a position in which they overlie and contact said rim when said receptacle is at articlereceiving position, said means on said housing including a plurality of spaced seat members joined to said housing and extending therefrom into said passageway to a location at which they contact and support said receptacle at the article receiving position but permit passage of articles by said seat members when said receptacle is removed from the article receiving position, said flanges and seat members cooperating to jointly support the receptacle at the article receiving position, and a cover movably mounted between open position in which it permits access to said receptacle at article-receiving position and closed position in which it abuts said flange and overlies said receptacle, said cover having a protective top portion, a skirt depending from said top portion and a tab portion extending away from said skirt, the under side of said tab portion comprising a substantially planar surface disposed to abut said flange in closed position, said cover in closed position being spaced from said rim at regions thereof adjacent said flange to provide an opening between said rim and said planar surface for ingress and egress of air to and from said arti- "cle in said receptacle.

3. A dispenser for household articles and the like, comp i ing a housing having front, back and side walls forming between them an elongated passageway shaped to permit the transit of articles therethrough, said passageway terminating at one end in a aperture for receiving said articles and at its other end in a further aperture for the discharge of said articles, said article-receiving aperture being bounded by upper edges of said housing walls, a receptacle for retaining at least one of said articles, means on said receptacle for holding said receptacle at said receiving aperture, means on said housing for holding said receptacle at said aperture, said means on said receptacle comprising a plurality of spaced flanges joined to said receptacle at the top edge of a wall thereof and extending therefrom to a position in which they overlie and contact the upper edge of said front wall when said receptacle is at article-receiving position, said means on said housing including a plurality of spaced seat members joined to said housing and extending therefrom into said passageway to a location at which they contact and support said receptacle at article-receiving position but permit passage of articles past said seat members when said receptacle is removed from article-receiving position, said flanges and said seat members cooperating to jointly support said receptacle at article-receiving position, and a cover movably mounted on said housing between open position in which it permits access to said receptacle at articlereceiving position and closed position in which it abuts said flanges and overlies said receptacle, said cover in closed position being spaced from the upper edge of said front wall between said flanges to provide an opening for ingress and egress of air to and from said article in said receptacle.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 557,767 4/1896 Casaday et a1 204-4 2,241,064 5/1941 Harbison 220-44 2,769,565 11/1956 Sottile 22044 X 2,944,694 7/1960 Kinsey 220-17 3,007,177 11/1961 Jackson 312--45 X 20 CLAUDE A. LE ROY, Primary Examiner.

FRANK L. ABBOTT, Examiner. 

1. A DISPENSER FOR HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES AND THE LIKE, COMPRISING A HOUSING HAVING EXTENDING THEREWITHIN AN ELONGATED PASSAGEWAY FORMED TO PERMIT THE TRANSIT OF ARTICLES THERETHROUGH, SAID PASSAGEWAY TERMINATING AT ONE END IN AN APERTURE FOR RECEIVING SAID ARTICLES AND AT ITS OTHER END IN A FURTHER APERTURE FOR THE DISCHARGE OF SAID ARTICLES, SAID ARTICLE-RECEIVING APERTURE BEING BOUNDED BY A RIM OF SAID HOUSING, A RECEPTACLE FOR RETAINING AT LEAST ONE OF SAID ARTICLES, MEANS ON SAID RECEPTACLE FOR HOLDING SAID RECEPTACLE AT SAID RECEIVING APERTURE, MEANS ON SAID HOUSING FOR HOLDING SAID RECEPTACLE AT SAID APERTURE, SAID MEANS ON SAID RECEPTACLE COMPRISING A PLURALITY OF SPACED FLANGES JOINED TO SAID RECEPTACLE AT THE TOP EDGE OF A WALL THEREOF AND EXTENDING THEREFROM TO A POSITION IN WHICH THEY OVERLIE AND CONTACT SAID RIM WHEN SAID RECEPTACLE IS AT ARTICLE-RECEIVING POSITION, SID MEANS ON SAID HOUSING INCLUDING A PLURALITY OF SPACED SEAT MEMBERS JOINED TO SAID HOUSING AND EXTENDING THEREFROM INTO SAID PASSAGEWAY TO A LOCATION AT WHICH THEY CONTACT AND SUPPORT SAID RECEPTACLE AT THE ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION BUT PERMIT PASSAGE OF ARTICLES BY SAID SEAT MEMBERS WHEN SAID RECEPTACLE IS REMOVED FROM THE ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION, SAID FLANGES AND SEAT MEMBERS COOPERATING TO JOINTLY SUPPORT THE RECEPTACLE AT THE ARTICLE RECEIVING POSITION, AND A COVER MOVABLY MOUNTED BETWEEN OPEN POSITION IN WHICH IT PERMITS ACCESS TO SAID RECEPTACLE AT ARTICLE-RECEIVING POSITION AND CLOSED POSITION IN WHICH IT ABUTS SAID FLANGE AND OVERLIES SAID RECEPTACLE, SAID COVER HAVING A SUBSTANTIALLY PLANAR SURFACE INTEGRAL THEREWITH AND DISPOSED TO ABUT SAID FLANGE IN CLOSE POSITION, SAID COVER IN CLOSED POSITION BEING SPACED FROM SAID RIM AT REGIONS THEREOF ADJACENT SAID FLANGE TO PROVIDE AN OPENING BETWEEN SAID RIM AND SAID PLANAR SURFACE FOR INGRESS AND EGRESS OF AIR TO AND FROM SAID ARTICLE IN SAID RECEPTACLE. 